Fet Kouzen 2023-Sosyete Nago
Sacred Spaces: Giving Spirit A Home
The Purpose of an Altar
Different Types Of Altars
Ancestor/Eggun: This is a space dedicated solely to members of your family that have passed on. For African Americans it can also include extended and/or adopted family. Ancestor altars are an integral part of African AMerican homes, even when our people don’t realize that what they set up is, in fact, an altar. We all know of that place in our grandmother’s home that has the pictures, obituaries, keepsakes, heirlooms, and even the ashes of our family members. Usually it’s this space set up in the least disturbed part of the home where our elders often go to sit, meditate, and pray. Some practitioners of ATR and DTR religions have what is called an eggun corner. It features a sacred stick decorated with fabric, ancestral relics, pictures, and offerings.
Boveda: A boveda is an altar that is dedicated to your spiritual court. It includes guardian spirits, spirit guides, and any other spirits that walk with you. You can add your ancestors to a boveda but typically this type of altar centers the spirits of the dead that have no blood tie to you. There are various ways to set up a boveda but no matter the variation it will always feature at least a glass of water and candle.
Shrines for deities: Depending on the practice one may set up a shrine altar for a deity. Some religions such as Isese or Lucumi require one to be initiated to set up an altar to an orisha while in other ATR or non-initatory practices it’s perfectly fine to establish altars. Deity shrines are typically set up apart from any other type of altar and are dedicated solely to that deity with statues, pictures, and items symbolic of that deity.
Outside/Nature: Nature is the original altar. Historically it was common for indigenous peoples to establish altars outside on their land, a practice you see still to this day. There are some spirits that either do not wish to be kept indoors or that may disrupt the energy of the home if brought indoors and are therefore revered with an outside altar. Many choose to place their eggun corners outside as well. When establishing an outside altar it’s best to do so on your own property, family land, or place where you have direct access and ties to. Most often trees are used as the focal point of an outside altar but other spiritually important sites such as springs, boulders, earth mounds, and gardens can be utilized as well. When setting up an outside altar its important to use items that can withstand the natural elements and to keep in mind that animals can tamper with any offerings.
“Working” altar for spells and personal ritual: This type of altar is specific to those that perform spells, rootwork, or conjure. It’s basically a magical work space containing the tools, items, and symbols of the type of conjure one performs.
Personal/Healing altar: this is similar to a working altar but focuses on a specific type of personal spiritual work that a person is engaging in. For example, if someone is doing heart chakra healing then they may set up an altar with the colors, crystals, and items that support that specific type of work. When I was working in cultivating my divine feminine many years ago I set up an altar with items that represented fertility and the Great Mothers. Healing altars serve as a focal point of the energy you’re working with and are a great tool for spiritual advancement. They are not so much about a specific spirit or deity but are more about YOU and your connection to your higher consciousness. The unique thing about personal altars is that they reflect where you are in your spiritual journey and are, therefore, temporary and transitional.
Traveling altar: Traveling altars are just that, altars that are portable. These are ideal for people that travel a lot or that spend weeks at a time away from home. Traveling altars are literally a mini version of your main altar and can contain miniature pictures/statues and tools such as incense, small candles etc. Traveling altars are most often housed in small wooden keepsake boxes that can easily be packed in suitcases, bags, or purses.
How To Build An Altar
Tending To Your Altar